Spice Cake with Penuche Frosting

Ingredients

• FOR THE SPICE CAKE:
• 2 cups cake flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 2 cups (packed) light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup sour cream
• FOR THE PENUCHE FROSTING:
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1¾ – 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

1. For the spice cake:
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Have all ingredients at room temperature. Grease two 8-inch cake pans. Sift first 7 ingredients into a small bowl; set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating will after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Add in flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with the sour cream in 2 additions, beating well after each addition.
4. Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake until top is golden brown and tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Set cake pans on a wire rack; let cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the pan perimeters and turn cakes onto rack. Let cool completely before frosting.
5. For the penuche frosting:
6. Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, stirring continuously for 2 minutes. Stir in milk. Return to a boil, stirring constantly, then remove from heat. Allow mixture to cool to lukewarm temperature, then gradually stir in confectioners’ sugar until frosting has reached your desired consistency. For a thicker frosting, add more sugar; to thin it out, you can always add a bit of milk. Fill and frost the cooled cake. Enjoy!

Recipe from Dramatic Pancake

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Inspired by: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/05/strawberry-rhubarb-crisp.html

Heat oven to 375º F.

Mix together in medium bowl:

• 1.5 cups washed and hulled strawberries
• 1.5 cups washed and sliced rhubarb
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 TB baking powder
• 1/4 cup honey

Mix together in a second bowl:

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 TB butter, melted

Lightly coat 4 1-serving ramekins with olive oil spray. Divide strawberry rhubarb mixture between each dish. Top with oatmeal mixture. Place ramekins on baking sheet. Cook for 25 minutes, or until topping is lightly browned and fruit is bubbling. 

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Cheesy Quinoa Bake

I found this recipe via Pinterest and gave it a try last week. The site from which the recipe came likened it to Mac n Cheese. I wouldn't go so far as to say that, but it was tasty, easy, and much healthier than a traditional pasta + cheese bake. Here's the recipe as I made it:

1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained

2 cups fresh broccoli

1/4 tsp salt*

ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 large eggs

1 cup milk (I used 1%)

1 1/2 cups grated cheese - we used Muenster with a little cheddar and monterey jack

1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs

1. Lightly saute the broccoli or any veggies you want to add to this dish. Add garlic for the last minute or so to cook it.

2. Cook quinoa according to package instructions until fully cooked (about 15-20 min.)

3. Preheat oven to 350º F. Coat 9" x 13" dish lightly with olive oil/cooking spray. 

4. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Fold in cooked veggies, quinoa, and cheese. Let the cheese melt a little as you stir thoroughly. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, and sprinkle Panko crumbs over top. 

5. Bake uncovered 30-35 min., or until the top starts to lightly brown. 

*After trying it, I'd consider adding a bit more salt and pepper next time, and if you like garlic, possibly another clove of garlic. I didn't have seasoning salt (called for in the recipe I somewhat followed), but that or some similar spice combo might be a nice touch.

Lentil Soup with Lemon Yogurt Cream

Makes about 8 cups of soup

4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped, or 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced small
1 large or 2 small carrots, diced small
3 celery stalks, diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cup green or brown lentils
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup yogurt
zest and juice from 1 lemon
Minced parsley to serve

Set a 6-quart or larger pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook slowly until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat. If using olive oil, simply heat the oil and continue to the next step.

Turn the heat to medium-high and cook the onion until it softens and starts becoming translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots and celery, and cook for another minute or two. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, salt, and cinnamon. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the lentils, broth, and bay leaf to the pan and stir. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes until the lentils are soft (exact cooking time will depend on your lentils). Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Stir the reserved bacon into the soup, or sprinkle it right on top of each bowl.

Whisk together the yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add a dollop of this yogurt sauce to each bowl as you serve and sprinkle the tops with parsley.

Lentil soup will keep refrigerated for up to a week or freeze in individual portions for up to three months.

From www.thekitchn.com

Chicken Nuggets

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Makes 20-24 nuggets

1.5 lbs or so boneless, skinless chicken - I used tenderloins (Remember if you plan to freeze these nuggets, it's best to use fresh chicken to start with instead of buying it frozen)
1/2 cup oats
1/4 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Dash of seasoning salt
If desired, 3 TB minced onion and 1 clove minced garlic
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 375º F.
If using, onion and garlic, saute 2-3 min. in olive oil, and let cool.
2. Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor, and process until chicken is finely chopped and all ingredients are combined. If using, add sauteed onion and garlic, and pulse a few times in processor to mix in.
3. Place the bread crumbs in a shallow bowl or dish.
4. With moistened hands, rolls 2 TB of chicken mixture between your palms and flatten to create a "nugget" shape.
5. Gently press the nuggets into the bread crumbs, making sure both sides and edges are covered.
6. Place nuggets, spaced a little apart, onto a greased baking sheet (I lined our pan with foil before greasing).
7. Lightly spray nuggets with olive oil cooking spray.
8. Bake for 16 minutes, flipping nuggets halfway through cooking time.

*If you want them more golden in color, put them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes after cooking them.

Nuggets can be frozen after step 5. Place on a baking sheet, and put in freezer for 1 hour. Nuggets can then be put (touching) into a freezer bag or other container.

Double Chocolate Cranberry Chunkies

These are one of my favorite cookie recipes EVER. I found the recipe in a cookbook that was a Christmas present a few years back (The Great American Cookie CookBook), and it quickly became a cookie added to the list of "To Make Often." A friend asked for the recipe, and I realized I've yet to share it on here, so without further ado:

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teas. baking powder
1/2 teas. salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teas. vanilla
2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks or large chocolate chips
3/4 dried cranberries or dried tart cherries
Additional granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and alt in small bowl; set aside. Beat butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar in large bowl of electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until well blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until blended. Stir in chocolate chunks and cranberries.

3. Drop dough by level 1/4 cupfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Flatten dough with bottom of glass that has been dipped in additional granulated sugar.

4. Bake 11-12 minutes or until cookies are set. Cool cookies 2 minutes on cookie sheets; transfer to wire racks. Cool completely.

Makes about 1 dozen (4-inch) cookies.

Note: I never make them as big as the recipe calls for, and they cook about 10-12 minutes still.

Baked Oatmeal

I added a bit of cinnamon and some vanilla extract for flavor and switched out the walnuts for almonds. Unless you really like your oatmeal sweet, I'd suggest halving the amount of brown sugar.




Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup raisins
  
• 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
  
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk 
• 1/2 cup applesauce
  
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  
• 1 large egg, beaten
  
• Cooking spray
  

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine the milk, applesauce, butter, and egg. Add milk mixture to oat mixture; stir well. Pour oat mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Cooking Light 
OCTOBER 2003

quinoa stuffed peppers

makes: 2 large servings or ~4 side servings

loosely based on the {Incredibly Easy Gluten-Free Recipes} cookbook p. 44

{ingredients}

• 2 bell peppers, tops removed, seeded & hollowed out
• 1/2 c. uncooked quinoa
• 1 c. water
• 1/2 tsp salt, divided
• 1 TB olive oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1/8 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 TB butter

{directions}
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place quinoa in fine-mesh strainer and rinse well. Bring water and 1/4 tsp salt to a boil, and stir in quinoa. Cover, reduce heat to low. Simmer 12-14 minutes or until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed (like you would with rice).

2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and tomato. Cook 7-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in quinoa, remaining 1/4 tsp salt, and Italian seasoning. Add butter and stir until melted.

3. Arrange peppers in baking dish. Fill peppers with quinoa mixture. Bake 15-20 minutes or until peppers are tender (we did ours until peppers were slightly al dente still).

4. Serve warm. A main dish for a vegetarian, or if you cut the peppers in half after cooking, it would make ~4 side servings.

Lentil and Chick Pea Curry with Coconut Milk

3 tbsp canola oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced or grated
2 medium carrots, diced
3 tbsp mild Indian curry paste
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp salt
3 cups (750ml) crushed tomatoes
2 540 ml cans coconut milk
2 cups whole green lentils, rinsed and picked through
2 cups cooked chickpeas (540ml can) rinsed 
3 tbsp honey
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 cup frozen peas
veggie stock (optional) 
handful of cilantro, chopped
hot sauce 
plain yogurt

In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat.  Add the onion and cook until soft, a minute or two.  Add the garlic and ginger, carrots, curry paste, spices and salt.  Stir well and cook for a couple of minutes.  Stir in the crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, chickpeas and honey.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium low so it's simmering.  Cover.  Stir every 10 minutes or so.  Should take about 40 minutes for the lentils to cook.  When they are tender, stir in the cauliflower and peas.  Cook just until cauliflower is soft. If curry is too thick, thin it with a bit of veggie stock or water.  Stir in cilantro.  Adjust seasonings with more salt, pepper, and if you like it spicy, you can add hot sauce too.  Scoop into bowls and top with plain yogurt and cilantro.  Warm Naan bread as a side.  Serves 6-8.


From Sweet Sugar Bean

Green Goop

Green Goop

Just in time for St. Patty's Day, here's a fabulous "green" healthy drink :) A good mix of sweet and tart, chock full of nutrients! Don't just a book by its cover- looks a bit crazy, but give it a try and you'll find it's quite scrumptious!

Makes: a little over 2 cups of juice

.: ingredients :.

• 3 carrots
• 1 large apple (or 2 small apples)
• 2 cups of fresh kale
• small piece of fresh ginger (about 1" square)
• 1 c. cranberry juice

.: directions :.

1) Add cranberry juice, kale, and carrots to the blender and mix into a pulp.

2) Cut up ginger and apple into small slices. Add to blender and blend into a pulp.

3) It'll be a very thick drink, but not quite so thick you'd need a spoon ;)

*Note: you could also do this recipe using a juicer- you just won't get quite all the nutritional value since you're losing a lot of the fibrous bits.

**Note:: you could pretty much use most any fruits & veggies in this recipe! After much testing, I recommend keeping the carrots/apples as a base and changing out the other ingredients :)

Just some of the nutritional value....

Vitamin A - 260+% DV (Daily Value)

Vitamin C - 170% DV

Vitamin K - 510% DV

Magnesium - 80% DV

Zinc - 50+%

Vitamin E

Fiber

Easy Sweet Potato Veg Burgers

Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers
makes 7-8 large patties

2 cans cannellini white beans, drained
1 large sweet potato, baked/peeled/mashed (about 2 cups)
2 Tbsp tahini
2 tsp maple or agave syrup
1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning OR Cajun seasoning (or another fave spice!)
1/4 cup wheat flour
optional: additional seasoning (whatever you have on hand - I used a few dashes cayenne, black pepper and a scoop of nutritional yeast)
salt to taste if needed

plentiful Panko crumbs
safflower oil for pan

burgers: avocado, Dijon mustard, grain buns, romaine, onion, olive oil, pepper

Directions:

1. Bake sweet potato. Peel, place in large mixing bowl.
2. Add drained beans to mixing bowl. Mash beans and potato together.
3. Mash in seasoning, flour and any additional seasoning. Your mixture will be quite soft and moist. But you should be able to form a patty. Add more flour or a scoop of breadcrumbs - or dry rice to thicken the mixture if needed.
4. Heat 1 Tbsp safflower oil in a pan over high heat.
5. Form a patty from mixture and coat in Panko crumbs. Thick coating. Then drop the patty in the pan. Repeat until the pan is filled. Cook until browned on both sides. You could also bake. If baking, use less Panko.
6. Transfer cooked patties to paper towel. Cool for a few minutes.
7. Serve on toasted bun with lotsa toppings.

Note: yes this patty does fall kind of apart as you eat it. But that is OK because it tastes yummy. 


Recipe from Lunch Box Bunch

Root Vegetable Fries

I used turnip, carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, and it turned out super tasty.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs root vegetables, washed and chopped into matchsticks
• 1/8 – 1/4 cup peanut or olive oil
• generous shakes of sea salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place vegetables on two rimmed baking sheets. Toss with oil to coat, then spread the veggies out into a single layer. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Using a spatula, flip the veggies a few times as they bake, about 40-60 minutes depending on how crispy and brown you like them. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serve while hot.

Recipe from Dramatic Pancake

Slow Cooker Enchiladas

Tried these the other night with no meat, and they were tasty and filling.  I used whole wheat tortillas (4 - 12inch), and I added a dash of cayenne and a little cilantro.  I also switched the yellow onion to red onion.

Serves 4-6

1/2 yellow onion, diced small
1/2 bell pepper, diced small (any color)
1 16-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups cheese, shredded and divided - we like monterey jack
2 16-ounce jars of your favorite salsa
12 6"-8" tortillas, flour or cornOptional: 1 cup leftover meat - chicken, pork, hamburger, or shredded beef

In a medium bowl, mix together the onion, pepper, black beans, corn, spices, meat (if using), and just 1/2 cup of the cheese. Pour about a cup of salsa (half a jar) into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it around evenly.

Scoop about 1/3 cup into one of the tortillas, roll it up, and nestle it into the bottom of the crock pot. Repeat with the half of the remaining filling, rolling tortillas until the entire bottom of of the crock pot is filled. Spread another cup of salsa over this layer and sprinkle it with another 1/2 cup of cheese.

Continue with the remaining filling and tortillas to create a second layer. Top with another cup of salsa, but reserve the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese for later. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2-4 hours. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the leftover cheese over the top and let it melt.

Serve the enchiladas with the remaining salsa. Leftovers will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Additional Notes:

• You can cook the enchiladas for longer (6-8 hours on LOW), but we found that the tortillas in the middle start to get mushy while the ones touching the sides of the cooker get crispy. Still tasty, though!

• To cook these enchiladas in the oven, layer the rolled tortillas in a 9x13 baking pan and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese, and bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes.

• We haven't tried it, but we so reason why this recipe couldn't be doubled if your slow cooker is big enough. Just continue creating layers in the slow cooker and bake as usual.

 From The Kitchn

Red Lentil Burgers w/ Aioli

I mostly followed this recipe from Cooking Light September 2000, and it turned out delicious.  We also topped the burger with caramelized onions and avocado.  

Ingredients

• 
  Aioli:
• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise 
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 
• 1 garlic clove, minced 
• Burgers:
• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup dried red lentils
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided 
• Cooking spray 
• 1 cup diced onion 
• 1/2 cup finely diced carrot 
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped 
• 2 cups chopped mushrooms 
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• 3 tablespoons Madeira (optional)
• 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 
• 2 large egg whites 
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 
• Remaining ingredients:
• 6 (1 1/2-ounce) hamburger buns 
• Arugula or curly lettuce leaves 
• 6 (1/4-inch-thick) slices tomato 
• 6 (1/8-inch-thick) slices onion 

Preparation

1. To prepare aioli, combine first 3 ingredients; cover and refrigerate.
2. To prepare burgers, combine water, lentils, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Drain; set aside.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and 3 garlic cloves; sauté for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, mushrooms, marjoram, and pepper; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add wine; cook 1 minute or until liquid almost evaporates. Place onion mixture in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Add the lentils, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and egg whites. Cover and chill 30 minutes (to help firm up the mixture).
4. Divide the lentil mixture into 6 equal portions, shaping each portion into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Heat the vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add lentil patties, and cook for 5 minutes on each side.
5. Line the bottom half of each hamburger bun with an arugula or lettuce leaf, and top each bun half with a burger, 2 teaspoons aioli, 1 tomato slice, 1 onion slice, and the top half of the bun.

King's Cake

King Cake
makes 1 large coffeecake-sized ring

1/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)
1 envelope active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm milk (105 to 115 degrees F)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs

Cinnamon Filling
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 red bean, pecan half, or small plastic baby figurine

Frosting
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Purple, green, and yellow paste food coloring (or other colors depending upon the occasion)

For the dough: Pour the warm water into a large warmed bowl. Sprinkle in the yeast and stir until it dissolves. Stir in the warm milk, butter, sugar, nutmeg, and salt. Add 1 cup of the flour and blend well. Stir in the eggs and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Lightly flour a flat work surface, and turn out the dough. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding more flour if the dough sticks. (Ed. Note: You can also do this in a stand mixer equipped with a dough hook, which is what I did. I still kneaded it for about 5 minutes, though. If doing it by hand I would recommend going for at least 10 minutes.)

Put in a large greased bowl, and turn to grease the top of the dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

For the filling: Punch the dough down. Transfer to the lightly floured work surface and use a rolling pin to roll into a 30-by-9-inch rectangle. Brush with the melted butter. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the dough to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Beginning at the long end, roll up tightly, as for a jelly roll. Pinch the seam to seal.

With a sharp knife, cut the roll in half lengthwise, and carefully turn the halves so that cut sides face up. Join the ends, pinching them to form one ring, keeping the cut sides up so the filling is visible. Transfer the ring to a large greased baking sheet. 

If using a red bean or pecan half, push it into the underside of the dough to hide it. (A baby charm will go in after baking.) Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 20 to 40 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove the cake from the baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack. If using a plastic baby figurine, push it into the underside of the cake.

For the frosting: In a small bowl mix together the sugar, almond extract, and milk until smooth. Divide among three smaller bowls. Tint one mixture purple, the second one green, and the third one gold, mixing each one well. Drizzle each color over the top of the cake.

From The Kitchn